1991 Firebird (opinions please!)

[Woof]

I didn't want to post this in 3rd gen, even though it probably belongs there cause I thought no one would see it...

I have been looking for a new car for a bit, I own a 1966 Nova that only runs premium and I don't like to drive it when the weather is less than great. I want something a little better on gas to drive daily. A kid that works near me drives a 1991 Firebird (3.1L V6 AT) to work every day and I always thought it was a neat looking car. Well, he is buying a new Mazda 6 and wants to sell it. He is asking 1500 but said he would sell to me for 1100. The car engine is in good shape, started up and ran fine, trans shifts good and what not. No rust on the engine and a little on the body, drivers side door and LF wheel. OK, finally on to my actual question. The car has 126,xxx miles on it. Should I be worried about the timing chain or the heads/gaskets blowing/cracking/warping on me? is it a wise investment? I woulding be traumatized if the car didn't last me 7 years or something but I don't want to waste (or really spend much at all) on it, since i'm saving for another project car.

Also, i'm new here, upstate NY i'm only 18, which seems to be a flame magnet on other auto forums so let em rip. All I ask is that if someone who really knows what they are talking about too the time to read all that [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] then could you please give me some wisdom? Much appriciated!

[V8 Killer]

I have a 91 3.1 Firebird,Im also 18 and live in NY too (Long Island) I bought mine last year with an amazing 14,000 original miles.Bought it from an 84 year old man for $3600,what would he want with a firebird anyway....A few major things went.Alternator,Ignition Cylinder and cataytic converter.If he took good care of it,it would run fine for a long time.Just give it a tuneup and change all fluids when you buy it.As far as the timing chain and gaskets,I wouldent worry about them too much unless the motor was royally abused...

By the way...Check out www.thirdgen.org

[Woof]

Thanks! Actually I was in a hurry and I didn't want to bore everyone with the details but I left out some stuff. It was his grandmothers car, negative on the engine abuse. It doesn't smell like its burning any antifreeze. He just had the fluids changed and brakes replaced.

[navyblue2000]

there's PLENTY of good knowledge in the third gen tech section...moving there.

[V8 Killer]

I say go for it...Thats an awesome price.What color is it? Be sure to post some pics when you buy it :D

[3.4 slow to go]

I didn't want to post this in 3rd gen, even though it probably belongs there cause I thought no one would see it...

someone needs a monthly beating for that statement [img]graemlins/twak.gif[/img]

[V8 Killer]

Originally posted by 3.4 slow to go:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />I didn't want to post this in 3rd gen, even though it probably belongs there cause I thought no one would see it...

someone needs a monthly beating for that statement [img]graemlins/twak.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]He does kind of have a point though... [img]redface.gif[/img]

Only like 5 or 6 people browse these boards.Hell,I own a 3rd gen and this thread was my first time posting in the "Third Gen" forum...

[3.4 slow to go]

and just looky see how much knowledge there is in those peeps.

Just because there doesn't seem to be a lot of people in here, doesn't mean that it isn't frequented. How many times have you seen our Moderator have to lay the smackdown in here?

And saying that you have a thirdgen & this is the first time posting here, ........then yee have no right to bytch. [img]graemlins/slap.gif[/img]

[Phoenix]

As for the engine having 124,000 miles on it, I rebuilt my engine at 208,000 miles and there were no signs of significant wear. Nothing actually needed to be replaced and I run my car hard. I had also been spraying for about 25,000 before the rebuild.

[Woof]

Thanks for all the tips, I think I may end up going thru with the sale.

[3.4 slow to go]

cool. $1100 is a good price. Just remember, even though it isn't a vee-ate, there are plenty of things you cain do to maintain the reliability of it & enhance it.

Such as THIS

[96RS Alex]

Hi Woof and welcome. I learned a ton of info here about my 1991 3.1 Firebird too. Everyone here has been helpful in maintaining my 'Bird in great running condition. I have to brag that my odometer went past 258,000 miles over the holiday weekend and looking forward to do more mods to my engine soon. I have changed all the vital fluids as soon as I owned the car and learned about everything else along the way. I don't think you can kill this motor, GM made a decent product for us to enjoy and modify.

[Woof]

My only worry is that with the amount of rust on it, it might not be around for too long.

[02PewterBird]

Originally posted by Phoenix:
As for the engine having 124,000 miles on it, I rebuilt my engine at 208,000 miles and there were no signs of significant wear. Nothing actually needed to be replaced and I run my car hard. I had also been spraying for about 25,000 before the rebuild.

Off topic, but have you ever raced in Redding? I go to the street legal races there fairly often.

[Phoenix]

Yeah I go there sometimes, though I didn't even make it there once last year. A group of us from 2WM are going friday to the street legals but we'll be on bikes. I might try to get the car out there this year though. Maybe we'll catch ya there. [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]